3769-14-54
Expanded homestretch racing.

(A)
With
prior approval of the commission, a track may expand the width of its
homestretch by no less than ten feet nor more than fourteen feet inward in
relation to the width of the rest of the race track.

(B)
In the event the homestretch is expanded
pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule, the following shall apply:

(1)
When entering or while going through the
homestretch for the first time in a race, no horse shall use the expanded
inside lane in an attempt to pass other horses or improve its position. Any
horse which does so shall be disqualified and placed last in the order of
finish.

(2)
The lead horse in the
homestretch shall maintain as straight a course as possible while allowing
trailing horses full access to the expanded inside lane. If, in the opinion of
the judges, the lead horse changes course in the homestretch in an attempt to
prevent a trailing horse from passing, said horse may be placed accordingly.

(3)
Horses using the expanded
inside lane, during the homestretch drive for the finish of the race, must
first have complete clearance of the pylons marking the inside boundary of the
race course. Any horse or sulky running over one or more of the pylons or going
inside the pylons, while attempting to use the expanded inside lane, may be
disqualified and placed last in the order of finish.

(4)
During the last one-eighth mile of a race
a horse may only be driven into the expanded home stretch lane for the purpose
of passing another horse and may not be driven into the expanded home stretch
lane for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse. It shall be presumed that
any horse driven into the expanded home stretch lane which blocks a trailing
horse, without advancing on the horse it was allegedly attempting to pass, was
being drive for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse. If, in the the
opinion of a majority of the judges, a horse is driven into the expanded
home-stretch lane for the purpose of blocking a trailing horse, the driver of
the blocking horse may be fined and/or suspended and the horse may be placed
accordingly.